Homes for Sale in St. James Town, Toronto, ON

St. James Town was founded in the 1870s, home to Victorian houses and many of Toronto’s upper middle class. Changes to zoning laws in the 1950s caused developers to move into the area, planning a high-rise community for single professionals, with visions of a thriving neighbourhood… by all accounts, the plan was wildly unsuccessful, and the area was almost instantly seen in a bad light.

When you detach from history, it’s easy to see why developers initially loved St. James Town — the Rosedale Ravine Lands are to the east, providing picturesque walking trails within the city; Bloor street is to the north, where you’ll find upscale shopping, dining, and entertainment. But alas, it was not to be.

Fortunately, the neighbourhood has begun to turn around and has caught the eye of first time home buyers — and condo developers. St. James Town condos are suddenly desirable, and though prices of Toronto condos for sale in this neighbourhood are rising, some units are still quite affordable; in case this isn’t clear, now would be a good time to start looking for St. James Town condos.

The draw for this neighbourhood is what’s next door — Yorkville shopping, Yonge and Bloor nightlife, concert venues, and cultural attractions. There are retail stores, salons, and dining options in the neighbourhood, but a far larger selection exists just outside its borders on Wellesley, Parliament, and Bloor.

Despite being home to a diverse population of families, there are only a couple of schools in the neighbourhood — but there are more in the surrounding area. As well, there are a number of programs and initiatives for children; daycares, a community centre, and a youth centre.

The condo scene in St. James Town has changed dramatically in the last 10 years — there are now 7 buildings in the neighbourhood, ranging from affordable to high-end. Budget minded buyers have modern buildings such as The Verve; standing 40 storeys tall and housing 444 units, this condo has a ton of layouts for buyers to choose from, and a wealth of desirable amenities.

Prospective buyers who want to live in the lap of luxury have stunning properties like The Manors of Earl Street, offering executive finishes and suites in excess of 2000 square feet. There are also mid-range options, which balance luxurious finishes and affordability, like The 500 Sherbourne Condos.

Most St. James Town condos are located on the western boundary, placing residents within a few blocks of Yonge Street — transit lines, dining, nightlife, and shopping.

St. James Town has a Walk Score of 93 — if your first thought upon hearing that number was of Doug Gilmour… well done. Residents can easily run errands on foot, and for longer trips, there are bus routes servicing the entire neighbourhood and Sherbourne Station is just north for subway lines.

Drivers will also appreciate the location of St. James Town condos — heading east on Bloor to Danforth will have you on the Don Valley Parkway in minutes.